Synopsis for "Extra-Sensory Chapter 5: A Taste of Things to Come"

1966, Washington Square, New York, the place to be for aspiring hippies and self-proclaimed intellectuals (if you can’t get to San Francisco). Charlotte “Carly” Blackwood, a college student at NYU, takes some “acid” for her first time with some friends. The next morning, she’s late for class and skips breakfast. Once in class, she has an orange for breakfast. As she tastes it, she can “see” where it came from, the entire life cycle from seed to fruit to picked. She can also see the bitterness of the man that picked it. As the taste goes away, so does the vision. She leaves class, not feeling well after the “flashback” and wondering how it came to be after only one use. She runs into Bonnie in Washington Square, and they go for some lunch. Ordering a hamburger, she bites into it and this time experiences the life cycle of her bovine-meal. She passes out and is brought home in a cab. Twenty hours later she wakes up with her boyfriend/roommate Tommy, wondering what is going on. As this continues, she decides to see a doctor, but is too embarrassed to tell him that she had taken “acid”. He prescribes some “Mother’s Little Helpers”, which Carly knows won’t help. As this continues, seeing the brutal way that her meals made from animals – and even plants – comes to be, eating becomes unthinkable and she grows weaker and even more confused. Even drinking water has become a problem. Once again, she runs into Bonnie, whom upon hearing that a traditional doctor did not help, suggests something a little different… Carly heads promptly to Madame Xanadu’s Brownstone, doubting why a medical student like her would seek the help of a “mystic”, but she was desperate for help. Carly explains the situation to Madame Xanadu. Madame Xanadu thinks that the drug may have awakened a latent talent. After a quick experiment, Madame Xanadu is convinced that Carly “possesses an empathy” to “see beyond the material plane.” And suggests that she will need guidance – guidance such as becoming her apprentice. Carly leaves, wary of the offer, and heads back home. After kissing Tommy, she gets a taste of his recent activities – sex with Bonnie! Carly kicks him out, and finally decides that there is only one path she can take, and heads over to Madame Xanadu’s shop.